2D Material Based Thin‐Film Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Treatment

Abstract

TFC membranes are fabricated via an interfacial polymerization (IP) process involving two monomers: an amine such as m-phenylenediamine (MPD), piperazine (PIP) and phenylenediamine (PPD) dissolved in an aqueous solution; and a polyfunctional acid chloride such as trimesoyl chloride (TMC) dissolved in an organic solvent. [11] As shown in Figure 1a, a common configuration of TFC membranes includes: 1) a top ultrathin skin polyamide (PA) layer (200 nm) which controls the separation performance; 2) a middle porous support layer (60 µm) which provides the necessary mechanical support and functions as a platform for IP process; and 3) a bottom nonwoven fabric layer (100 µm) which gives further mechanical support. [12] With the advantages of this structure, TFC membranes can achieve efficient separation while maintaining mechanical strength.Despite its wide applications, TFC membranes are still facing many challenges, particularly, the trade-off between the water permeability and the solute rejection in PA films. [13] The latest review in 2019 presented a more accurate upper bound of polymer TFC membranes through analyzing more than 300 TFC-related studies, as shown in Figure 1b. [14] Based on the solution-diffusion mechanism of the TFC membranes, an increase of water permeance would inevitably lead to a decrease of solute rejection. There is an ultimate limit for the development of traditional polymer TFC membranes. Moreover, membrane fouling and chlorination pose constant challenges in the application of polymer TFC membranes. However, the demand for freshwater in human society seems bottomless, and thus high-performance TFC membranes are required.Integrating nanomaterials into the polymer TFC membranes to form TFN membranes has been identified as a promising technique to solve the drawbacks of TFC membranes. In 2007, Hoek and co-workers [15] originally developed a thinfilm nanocomposite (TFN) membrane by adding NaA zeolite into the PA matrix. Afterward, various advanced nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes, [16,17] zeolite, [15][16][17][18][19] inorganic nanoparticles, [20,21] zeolitic imidazolate framework, [22,23] metal-organic framework, [24] and so on have been incorporated with TFC membranes. Particularly, the 2D forms of these nanomaterials are believed to be excellent candidates for fabricating high-performance TFN membranes. This work is to make an exhaustive examination of current research on 2D materials Membrane-based separation technologies are essential in the fields of desalination and wastewater treatment. 2D material based thin-film nanocomposite (2D-M-TFN) membranes are emerging technology that combines 2D nanomaterials and conventional thin-film composite membranes. It has great potential to further improve the efficiency of the membrane separation process. Although extensive studies are reported, 2D-M-TFN membranes for water treatment are not systemically reviewed. This work gives an intensive summary of this emerging technology. The function, mechanisms, and common characteristics of various 2D materia...

Recent Advances in Separation and Analysis of Chiral Compounds

“…Enantioselective TFNs are composed of porous polycrystalline thin films on substrate membranes, usually prepared by one-pot solvothermal film on the substrate or a layer-by-layer synthesis based on liquid-phase-epitaxy. 148 Compared to MMMs that might suffer from the block of chiral pores and the formation of achiral pores, TFNs can achieve a chiral recognition thin film with less chiral pore defects and a better selectivity. Luo et al 147 also prepared the β-CD COF TFN and compared it with β-CD COF MMM.…”

Optoelectronic and photocatalytic behaviour of a type-II GaAlS2/HfS2 heterostructure: ab initio study

“…The remarkable properties exhibited by 2D materials such as large surface area with increased sites of reaction and superior carrier mobility suggest their significant promise in serving as photocatalysts as well as in optoelectronic devices. Numerous 2D materials, such as halides [3][4][5], Mxenes [6][7][8], transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) [9,10], phosphorene [11], silicene [12], Janus materials [13] etc are now accessible which exhibits semiconductor characteristics. Various 2D materials have been found to possess the capability to photocatalytically decompose water like PtS 2 [14], MoS 2 [15], Janus MoSSe [16], etc.…”

Reducing of Composite Based on Graphene Oxide With Metal Salts

“…Использование наночастиц и наноматериалов в качестве основы для композитов уже давно не является чем-то экзотическими, а продолжает развиваться как самостоятельное материаловедческое направление [1,2]. При использовании в качестве основы для композитов 2D-наноматериалов может привести к получению тонких пленок с достаточной гибкостью и прочностью [3]. Яркими представителями являются материалы семейства графена (например, оксид графена или восстановленный оксид графена) [4,5].…”